by our College Data Analytics TeamMedia Arts was the 93rd most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 10,069 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 1,041 over the prior year, a growth of 10.3%.
Our 2023 Best Media Arts Schools ranking analyzes 161 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for media arts students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of interactive multimedia programs later in this article.
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One of the most important skills you will need for a career in media arts is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and talking to others to convey information effectively.
media arts degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic media arts program qualifications, to serve in some interactive multimedia careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Interactive Multimedia degree levels vary. Media Arts programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest interactive multimedia degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a interactive multimedia degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to interactive multimedia, with approximately 42.8% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to interactive multimedia tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 45.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 39.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 3.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 2.3% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 2.3% |
About 50.8% of workers in careers related to interactive multimedia obtain at least master's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in media arts have received.
The education level required is different depending on the interactive multimedia career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your interactive multimedia degree? Media Arts careers are expected to grow 8.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to media arts.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Communications Professors | 37,500 | 10.0% |
| Media and Communication Workers | 36,200 | 10.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for interactive multimedia graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for media arts graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers interactive multimedia grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Communications Professors | $78,090 |
| Media and Communication Workers | $52,430 |
With over 620 different interactive multimedia degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased interactive multimedia school rankings to help you with this.
Media Arts is one of 2 different types of Radio, Television & Digital Communication programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Radio & Television | 6,559 |
| Other Radio, Television, & Digital Communication | 1,041 |
